{"id":543323,"date":"2026-04-21T19:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/543323\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T19:01:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:01:12","slug":"doug-king-reveals-classy-mark-robins-gesture-after-brilliant-coventry-city-promotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/543323\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug King reveals classy Mark Robins gesture after brilliant Coventry City promotion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Coventry City are back in the Premier League and are looking to secure the Championship title against Portsmouth tonight<\/p>\n<p>16:16, 21 Apr 2026Updated 16:32, 21 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stoke City manager Mark Robins\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_JS382571993.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Stoke City manager Mark Robins\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Stoke City manager Mark Robins<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Doug King has revealed Mark Robins sent him a message to congratulate <a aria-label=\"Coventry CityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/all-about\/coventry-city-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Coventry City<\/a> on their promotion to the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/all-about\/barclays-premier-league\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Sky Blues ended their 25-year absence from the top flight when they drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, a late Bobby Thomas equaliser <a aria-label=\"sending 7,000 travelling supporters into raptures.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/sport\/football\/football-news\/coventry-city-champions-promotion-lampard-33808116\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">sending 7,000 travelling supporters into raptures.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The triumph was the final step along a long road, most of which had been spent with Robins at the wheel, guiding City from League Two back up the football pyramid and within a penalty shoot-out of taking them into the Premier League himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, King brought Robins\u2019 seven-year tenure to an end in November 2024 and controversially replaced him with Frank Lampard. Both King and Robins have moved on <a aria-label=\"and the Sky Blues owner revealed just how much.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/sport\/football\/football-news\/frank-lampard-interest-theory-aired-33797454\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">and the Sky Blues owner revealed just how much.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cOnly 18 months ago, as you will recall, there was the Mark Robbin&#8217;s departure and that tumult, the fallout of that was quite significant,\u201d King told <a aria-label=\"talkSPORTLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=37u4xHbb9Bs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">talkSPORT<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cMark has been great. He shot me a note and congratulated me, the city and the club for getting out, which is lovely for him, and he&#8217;s been very gracious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI think we always realise what he&#8217;s done for us, but it was only 18 months ago where everybody thought it was the most crazy decision ever made by a new owner, let&#8217;s put it like that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe&#8217;s done an amazing job, Frank, top man, worked really hard. I loved to see his emotion on Friday, that showed me how connected he was with us and I love that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">King also explained how happy he is for the long-suffering Sky Blues fans: \u201cI&#8217;m so delighted for them, you can feel it, it&#8217;s like the city is back together. I know the club and the stadium are back together, but the city is back together with optimism, excitement, hope what&#8217;s going to happen in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe haven&#8217;t been there for a while They&#8217;re all doing their permutations and simulations now, for me that&#8217;s magnificent. They&#8217;ve got that to look forward to and they&#8217;ve got a few weeks now to celebrate because we&#8217;re not at the last gasp in a playoff or a final game to get in the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Frank-Lampard-USEjpeg.jpg\" \/>Coventry City are back in the Premier League <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Coventry Telegraph has produced a stunning special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And to celebrate, the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/all-about\/coventry\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Coventry<\/a> Telegraph has produced this stunning 48-page special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Since relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have gone through many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in emphatic style.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And our bumper special edition is the perfect souvenir to remember that fantastic achievement by.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ll have match reports, pics, and reaction from every kick of City&#8217;s journey back to English football&#8217;s promised land.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s all here&#8230; the avalanche of goals pre-Christmas that made promotion look nailed on, the brief wobble that followed, and the revival under Lampard to consolidate their position at the top of the table.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Plus, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will have pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard&#8217;s success, key players, and what lies ahead for the club in the top flight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Club historian Jim Brown will also share his fact-filled take on promotion, while there will be pictures and reports from the Sky Blues&#8217; joyful promotion celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>Click <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/coventry-city-89-c.asp?utm_source=Coventry+City+standalone&amp;utm_medium=Coventry+City+standalone+-+Factbox&amp;utm_id=Coventry+City+standalone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">here <\/a>to buy<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CovTelCCFC#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Get more Coventry City news and analysis via our FB page<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/all-about\/coventry\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Coventry<\/a> City content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner &#8211; <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyTurnerccfc\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">who you can follow on X<\/a> &#8211; follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur &#8211; that&#8217;s why <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?utm_source=newslettersignupheader\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">we have produced a daily newsletter which you can <\/a><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?utm_source=newslettersignupheader\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">sign up to, for free, and which means you&#8217;ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email <\/a><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coventrytelegraph.net\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?utm_source=newslettersignupheader\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">inbox.<\/a> You can also get all your favourite content from CoventryLive&#8217;s Sky Blues team <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/H19draMjRN1FTBfOrjO2II\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">on WhatsApp.<\/a> Sign up f <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/H19draMjRN1FTBfOrjO2II\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">or breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coventry City are back in the Premier League and are looking to secure the Championship title against Portsmouth&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":528376,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[79458,183123,30301,59,124950,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-543323","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-coventry-city-fc","9":"tag-doug-king","10":"tag-frank-lampard","11":"tag-gb","12":"tag-mark-robins","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543323"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543323\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/528376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}